Here’s my take on the most important consumer stories of the year: The sagging economy. The collapse of the stock market, major banks, and businesses. The end of the George W. Bush administration and its crippling of consumer, environmental, and energy regulations. The rise in the cost of food. The... Read more →

I’m surprised to be writing about the positive benefits of New Year’s resolutions. I stopped making them years ago, although I wrote often about what consumers could expect in the coming year. I didn’t think the resolutions were effective. However, John Norcross, Ph.D., clinical psychology and professor at the University... Read more →

In a year of financial turmoil, con artists have revamped old scams and thought up new ones to bilk people out of their money. Charity and lottery scams also continued to be popular. In its listing of the 10 worst scams of 2008, ConsumerAffairs.com left out the Bernard Madoff’s investment... Read more →

I was lucky to get a great new cookbook as a Christmas present from my daughter. It’s called “The New Glucose Revolution Low GI Vegetarian Cookbook” by Jennie Brand-Miller, Ph.D., Kaye Foster-Powell, R.D., and Kate Marsh, R.D. The thing that sets the book apart from other vegetarian books and cookbooks... Read more →

I hope your Christmas Day celebrations are wonderful. It’s such a great time to be with family, friends, and loved ones. We had a great Christmas dinner on Christmas Eve. The children loved opening their presents this morning. I had fun receiving presents, too. One was a great new cookbook.... Read more →

Are you feeling sad or lonely as the holidays approach rather than experiencing joy? It’s not unusual for the holidays to bring on sadness or loneliness because you aren’t able to be with loved ones, you’ve lost someone important due to divorce or death, you’ve overspent, you’re tired and worn... Read more →

The holiday season can often produce real stress. I know. It’s happened to me. Here are some tips that I’ve found helpful when my holiday stress level goes up: Ask for help decorating your home and wrapping packages. Simplify the holiday meal. Ask people to bring side dishes, desserts, or,... Read more →

With storms ravishing most of the northern parts of the country, the mid-West, and the Rocky Mountain states, the best advice on buying last-minute Christmas gifts is probably calling your favorite catalog company and requesting express mail service. Internet shopping at this point is risky. Even though delivery by Christmas... Read more →

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has launched a new rating system for nursing homes. The five-star rating system made its debut yesterday. Newspapers across the country responded with articles on whether nursing homes in their cities or states were among the highest or lowest rated. This is helpful... Read more →

Since I live in the Pacific Northwest, where we have beautiful evergreen trees dotting the landscape every day, I’ve had the opportunity to buy or obtain a Christmas tree in a variety of ways. I’ve gone up in the mountains to cut one after securing a permit. I’ve selected many... Read more →